Overflow stopper for sinks and the like



Feb. 5, 1946. M. A. NICHOL OVERFLOW STOPPER FOR SI-NKS AND THE LIKE Filed May 24, 1944 Patented Feb. 5, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,394,094 OVERFLOW s'rorraa FOR smxs AND 7 me mm 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in overflow stoppers for sinks and the like.

More particularly the invention is directed to a combined stopper and overflow device adapted to close off the drain of a sink while at the same time permitting free passage for overflow of fluids or the disposition of fluids to be poured down the drain when the sink is in use. a

It is customary in washing dishes in sinks or tubs having a drain for waste, to flll or partially flll the sink with cleansing fluid, such as soapy water, for example, in which the dishes are to be washed. In many instances, unless the dishes or other articles to be washed are thoroughly rinsed before being placed in the cleansing fluid, particles of food and other waste materials float on top of the water, causing annoyance and interference with proper cleansing of the articles. Then too, after the sink is fllled to the proper level with the cleansing fluid, it is often found that vessels such as cofieepots and the like contain waste fluids which must be poured down the drain, and ordinarily in such instances it is necessary to leave the vessel aside until the other articles are washed. Then after the cleansing fluid is released whereby to flow down the drain and empty the sink, it is necessary to again fill the sink with cleansing fluid to wash the said vessels separately. This not only results in a loss of time but also in an unnecessary waste of cleansing fluid.

One of the objects of the present invention resides in the provision of a device of the character indicated which will serve the dual function of a stopper and an overflow device whereby when the sink is fllled to the proper level with cleansing fluid, food particles and the like floating on top of the fluid will flow with surplus fluid over the top edge of the device down the drain without interference with the cleansing fluid. Moreover, the device of the present invention provides an opening through the cleansing fluid in communication with the drain to receive left-over and other waste fluids.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated which is readily removable but which will remain in place during use of the sink while washing articles.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of structure which will offer resistance to collapsing under pressure of the cleansing fluid but which can be temporarily depressed manually if desired to lower the level of the cleansing fluid.

illustrated comprises a body portion 2 of any desired resilient material such as rubber, rubber composition or the like. The side walls of the device are preferably cylindrical and are corrugated circumferentially for reinforcement and to facilitate depressing the same.

The lower end of the device is provided with an annular flange 4 having an annular groove 6 formed on its underside which serves as a suction or vacuum member for retaining the device in place.

As will be seen from Fig. 4, in use the device is placed in a. sink 8 for example whereby the annular flange 4 engages the bottom of the sink surrounding the drain Hi. When the device is placed in position pressure may be manually applied to the flange 4 to exhaust air from the groove li'whereupon a vacuum is formed to securely hold the device in place. The sink may then be filled to the desired level with cleansing fluid [2.

In the position shown in Fig. 4 when dishes or other articles are placed in the cleansing fluid l2 the fluid will rise to the level just above the upper open edge of the device whereby surplus fluid and particles floating on the fluid will flow down the drain Ill.

Should it be desired to lower the level of the fluid in the sink below the top edge of the device it is merely necessary for the user to manually depress the device to a position as shown in Fig. 3 for example and retain the same in collapsed position until the desired level of fluid is reached.

When the device is in placeas shown in Fig. 4 the dishes may be washed in the usual manner and when the washing is completed the device is readily removed by manually lifting one edge of the flange 4, to break the vacuum whereupon the device may be removed and the sink drained.

The material from which the device is made s I readily cut with a knife or scissors whereby the same may if desired be trimmed to any desired height to accommodate sinks or tubs of various depths. The material, because of its resiliency,

may if desired be rolled upon itself to shorten 7 its height.

The device is preferably made of a diameter slightly largerthan the largest diameter drain so that the same can be used with a drain of smaller diameter. As will be appreciated if the device is of a diameter of the size mentioned it will not be necessary for purchasers to measure the diameter of the drain before making a purchase of one of these devices.

While I have illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the precise structure illustrated and described as obviously various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the fluid in the'sink with the sink drain whereby toprevent fluid in the sink passing down the drain except when the fluid level is above the top edge of the memher, said member having reinforcing circumferential corrugations and being depressible vertically to bring said corrugations into closer relationship and shorten the height of the device.

2.-A closure for sinks and the like comprising a one piece hollow tubular body of flexible material the wall of which is provided with corrugations the final corrugation extending laterally of the body at the bottom thereof and forming a vacuum member for securing the closure removably to the bottom of a sink in communication with the sink drain whereby to prevent passing down the drain except when the fluid level is above the top open end of the body, said body being compressible vertically to bring the corrugations into closer relationship to permit the fluid to flow over'said top edge. v

MARGARET A. NIQHOL. 

